Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription and associ

Authority: Surrey & Boarders Partnership NHS on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions (Central government)

Open framework scheme6 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable

Sectors: Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment (32)Software Packages & ERP (48)IT Services & Software (72)

+1 more

Business Services & Consultancy (79)

Delivery listed: Ireland (IE)Ireland (IE0)UK

+8 more

North East (UKC)North West (UKD)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)South East (UKJ)South West (UKK)Wales (UKL)

Planned pipeline value£400,000,000total for 6 lots · pipeline notice, not a live tender

Tender notice expected 6 Oct 2025from the planned procurement notice

Lots 6see the lot list below

Framework period 2 yrsends 18 Jan 2028 · up to 18 Jan 2034 with extensions · starts 19 Jan 2026

What is being bought6 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

NHS Commercial Solutions is seeking to engage with the market ahead of a potential procurement exercise for Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription and associated services. We are inviting suppliers to participate in a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise via the Atamis procurement portal ( atamis-1928.my.site.com ↗) to help shape our requirements and assess market interest. This is not a call for competition and is being conducted without prejudice to any future procurement process. Please note this engagement is only for information and is not to be scored.

The questions are categorised as below:

Section 1: Supplier Information

Section 2: Lot Interest and Capability

Section 3: Technical Capability & Innovation

Section 4: Commercial & Framework Design

Section 5: General Feedback

CPV: Building and facilities management services · Computer audit and testing services · Computer support services · Data services · Data storage services · Dictating machines · Document management software package · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · IT software package · Miscellaneous software package and computer systems · Programming services of application software · Software supply services · +7 more

How this framework works

From the published notice

Type: Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs: call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Framework period: 2 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 19 Jan 2026
Scheme runs until: 19 Jan 2034
Buyer regions: UK
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %): 1% of call-off value · 1%. NHSCS are a self-funded, not for profit NHS organisation and do not look to make a profit out of the framework as some other organisations do. Any surplus in ABI also gets passed back to NHS Commercial Solutions member Trusts.

Who may buy through it

The Framework Agreement will be accessible by a number of organisations (each a “Participating Organisation” or “Contracting Authority”). The Framework Agreement will be accessible by all NHS and Public Sector organisations within the UK, including Universities and Education Authorities where they are funded by Public Fund (each a “Contracting Authority”).

Published description of the framework

This is a replacement of the existing NHS England endorsed FWA. NHS England is heavily invested in initiatives that improve patient outcomes and relieving pressure on hospitals. There is a growing need for Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription, and associated services in the NHS. These technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and reducing administrative burdens, which are crucial for an organization facing high demand and striving for digital transformation. The ongoing development of AI and cloud-based solutions will likely further enhance the capabilities and adoption of these services within the NHS. There will be continuous need for the service as Contracting Authorities are aligning with the NHSE initiative to push for digital tools, including transcription services, to help manage the high volume of documentation efficiently. The market is dynamic and there will be need for Contracting Authorities and service providers to align with the changing regulations. For the past 4 (four) years 14 Trusts procured the services captured under the proposed FWA amounted to £9,575,319.00. £2,235,563.00 from 8 Trusts went through the FWA which is 23% of the total spend. There is a big opportunity to channel this entire spend through NHSCS FWA which secures compliance as well as value for money solutions. The framework will be divided into 6 lots, as follows: Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue Lot 2: Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology Lot 6: Managed service solution The beneficiaries of the services are NHS Patients receiving Healthcare Services, service users or Citizens within a Local or Central Government organisation within the wider Public Sector Organisations.

Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure

6 lots · all with a published value

Every one of these 6 lots carries the same published figure, £66,666,667: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Products and/or Services CataloguePlannedRenewal UK, North East +9 2 yrsSMEceiling above

Lot 1, offers a catalogue of Hardware, Software and Consultancy Services. Hardware will include but not be limited to Dictaphone, voice recording devices, docking, peripherals, accessories, IT equipment. Software will include but not be limited to licenses, software for Speech/Voice recognition, work-flow, support and maintenance. Services may include consultancy day/hourly rates for planning, implementation, developing interfacing, support, troubleshooting and maintenance

Contract period: 19 Jan 2026 – 18 Jan 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 18 Jan 2034 with extensions

Delivery: UK, North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland, Northern IrelandEligibility: SME eligible

Extensions: Once every 3 years. Expected life of the FWA 8 years, 3+3+2 years' breaks. Due to changing marketing dynamics and new entrants with value added technologies, the market offerings are expected to develop rapidly and to allow such changes and not limiting the market, the FWA is proposed to be for 8 years period.

32332100 Dictating machines 32342450 Voice recorders 32344110 Voice-logging system 48311000 Document management software package 48314000 Voice recognition software package 48517000 IT software package

Lot #2Digital Dictation service solution with AI TechnologyPlanned Ireland (IE), Ireland (IE0) +11 8 yrsSMEceiling above

Lot 2 of this framework will offer a Digital Dictation service solution with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology which will enhance the traditional process of recording audio for transcription by integrating intelligent features. Instead of solely relying on human transcriptionists, AI-powered digital dictation systems can automatically transcribe speech to text with increasing accuracy. Software will include but not be limited to licenses, software for Speech/Voice recognition, work-flow, interfacing, speech recognition engine, externally or internally hosted solution (cloud based), insourced and outsourced HR and Consultancy services, support and maintenance. Services may include consultancy day/hourly rates for planning, implementation, developing interfacing, support, troubleshooting and maintenance.